I realize if I searched hard enough I could probably gather up this information, but i'll ask anyways. I've got a couple questions. I'm looking for a new setup for throwing plastics/swimbaits. I have pretty much decided to go with the catala, unless someone changes my mind. My question is what kind of rod I should get? I have been interested in building a rod for a while and I think now is the time. I'd like to start off slow, i'd rather not jump into spending 200 or 300 bucks for a rod right now. Can you guys point me in the right direction of what i'll need? thank you
-Phil

swim baits for what? tuna, bass, halibut etc.

I think your choice to go with the catala is a good one! I have used it, and like it a lot. I use a similar sized reel when i fish in Morro Bay too! Now for the rod, MAKE IT DUDE!! If i can make the rod with 2 hours reading, so can you. If you want to talk to me about it, email me at Boatless4now@cs.com. I am now working on a sweet stick for my friends calico bass fishing to use the famous SWIMBAITS!! Like i said, gimme an email, and i can show ya some basics, and get you hooked up with some people to call for parts, and info.

Till Later,
Joel

To fish, or not to fish, what a stupid question!!

Phil,
You shold talk to Pete "Leapinbass". He makes some really nice halibut rods. If you're looking for a good price on a good rod, the Loomis 941C is great. It's 7' 10" rated for 10-17. Extra fast tip. And they only run about 120 bucks which is pretty reasonable. It's not a very multi-purpose rod but it is very very good for shallow inshore swimbaiting.

Is that the price to build the rod or buy it stock? Also, what do you guys think of St.Croix rods? I found a tidemaster 8' that seemed pretty cool for like $120 stock. -Phil

Yeah, talk to Pete, or check his website http://www.leapinbass.com Look into those popping rods or hot shot rods.
-Brian

for bass i would recommend the HSR932 by loomis. it has a very nice tip action but enough backbone to toss the bigger 4 an 5 an 6 ounce swimbaits. for the money the catala 300 would be the perfect size, or an Abu Garcia 6500C4. the rod is about 190 an the abu reel is about 95.
if you were usin it for tuna, for rods i would say somn like the calstar 800XL or the loomis pelagic 96-20C it is an 8ft 15-25lb class rod. they run about 240 but in my opinio are the best out there. for a salwater reel you could go with a penn 935gs which is about 120, a daiwa sealinex 30 which is about 135 or a shimano calcutta 700 which is bout 250. good luck. ~Angler Andy

IMO, those reels are too big for 20#. And the calcutta 700 is one of Shimano's F#%$ ups. The reel is really off balanced. The spool is tiny and the reel itself is huge. The 400 would be perfect though. JMO.
-Brian

For 12 - 20 lb. using 4 - 6 inch plastics on 3/8 - 1 oz. heads I'd go with the Loomis HS981, HS982, or HS932. I use an HS981 for 12 lb. for inshore halibut. I am building an HS932 for slightly heavier applications (15 lb.). I built an HS932 for my cousin for calico fishing and he swears it's the best calico rod he's ever used.

There is another option. Rainshadow blanks. I was contacted by someone who works for them because from what I hear the company is comprised of people who used to work for Loomis but got sick of all the BS that started happening after Shimano bought them (like them trying to phase out selling blanks only). Anyway, these blanks are pretty much clones of Loomis', are IM6 graphite, and have a similar lifetime warranty but are like 1/3 of the price. I have not used them yet but plan to in the future. Just find a Loomis blank that you like and I'll see if they can match it (or come close).

Check out my website http://www.leapinbass.com and http://www.gloomis.com for more information.

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You can't catch tomorrow what you kill today - please practice catch and release.